BOSTON, MA – Illegitimate letters from a Massachusetts address are being sent to the state’s citizens claiming “unclaimed property winnings”. According to State Treasurer Deb Goldberg, these letters are not being sent by either the Massachusetts Office of the State Treasurer or the National Association of Unclaimed Property Administrators (NAUPA).
“It has come to our attention that fraudulent letters using our address and likeness have been sent to residents across the state,” said Treasurer Deb Goldberg. “Our goal is to ensure that no Massachusetts citizen is taken advantage of as part of this scam.”
Official unclaimed property notices will never direct owners to pay money, whether for processing fees, tax payments, or otherwise, when searching unclaimed property or filing a claim. The official Massachusetts Treasury website for unclaimed property, http://www.findmassmoney.com, is free of charge to search and claim.
The Office of the State Treasurer and Massachusetts Legislators utilize the mail to inform owners of unclaimed property. There are a number of ways to discern official Treasury notices from scam notices. Letters will be mailed from Boston, Massachusetts with a return address; they will direct owners to an official http://www.mass.gov/ website; and they will bear the official seal of the State of Massachusetts along with the signature of the Treasurer.
Unclaimed property includes forgotten savings and checking accounts, un-cashed checks, insurance policy proceeds, stocks, dividends, and the contents of unattended safe deposit boxes. Most accounts are considered abandoned and are turned over to the state after three years of inactivity. Last year Treasury returned over $114 million in property to its rightful owners, making the Commonwealth the state to return the most money on a per-capita basis. The Treasury currently holds over $2 billion in unclaimed property that rightfully belongs to Massachusetts residents.
If you have any questions regarding unclaimed property, please visit the Treasury’s official website, http://www.findmassmoney.com/ or call 888-344-MASS (6277). You can view an example of a fraudulent letter HERE.
(NOTE: The above press release is from the State Treasurer’s Office.)
Like Wilmington Apple on Facebook. Follow Wilmington Apple on Twitter. Subscribe to Wilmington Apple’s daily email newsletter HERE. Got a comment, question, photo, press release, or news tip? Email wilmingtonapple@gmail.com.
Wilmington Apple 